New to SVT

[Gemmahunt25]

Hi - I am new here! I had my first SVT in January, it was so scary I called an ambulance had a lot of checks but all was clear. Since then I have had 2 or 3 every week and 2 more A & E visits with no diagnosis and all results clear. My doctor in April gave me a 24 hour ECG monitor which was sent to the cardiologist. The cardiologist said it was likely to be SVT and that it didnt need treated. I explained to my doctor that the palpatations I am getting I can deal with now I know they are not life threatening but the other symptoms (Dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, nausea, difficulty swallowing, breathlessness, headaches etc) I cannot cope with. He said the normal treatment would be beta blockers however as I have Asthma I cannot have these. I feel really alone with this my doctors is one where you get a telephone consultation so I dont feel like I am having any continuity of care for something that is really affecting my quality of life. Does anyone else feel like this and is there anything I should do myself to try and ease these symptoms. I am a full time working mother of 3 children and it is really starting to take its toll. Thank you

[woodstock1]

Hi there , I too was diagnosed with SVT in January and like you ,once it was diagnosed I had a telephone consultation with an arrhythmia specialist nurse (who was excellent and answered all of my questions). I was given 3 options, manage the condition, take drugs or consider ablation. I decided to manage the condition by carrying out the techniques recommended related to physiological manoeuvres (Valsava). I too have asthma and there is a medication called verapamil which is suitable for asthmatics . Id discuss the techniques of managing our SVT with a specialist nurse and the possibility of Verapamil with your GP as this may help with your associated symptoms, although I am no Dr!! Don't feel alone, there are hundreds of people in our position, its  just adjusting to managing it which takes a while. I am sure your GP can help with the associated symptoms if indeed they are connected to SVT (which they may not be I guess).Stay strong, you will find your way through this.

[dottie63]

Hi Gemma,   SVT,  it is so unpleasant and can be very frightening to experience, so I know how you are feeling. I have had it since 1992, it doesn't get better or 'go away'. I have needed medication, and take an anti-arrythmic, by the name 'disopyramide' (rythmodan retard), Beta blockers just didn't work for me, but I am sure there are alternatives,  as there was in my case.

Mine is well controlled, but without the meds I would be experiencing all of the unpleasant symptoms which you talk about. I certainly can't manage it without the meds and for the doctors to suggest that you do, when you are having several episodes a week, is, in my  opinion not an option. Get a second opinion, see a different cardiologist.

Best wishes, Dee.x

[Hidden]

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I've had tests a month ago and I'm still waiting for the hospital to send the results to my doc.  I know its nothing serious but it doesn't stop you worrying and I just wish someone would take the time to sit down and talk to me. I'm just waiting for paperwork.

But honestly everyone is right, it is just a case of getting used to the idea of this is something we have and changing our routine.  It all feels a bit strange at the moment but it will get better. And don't be afraid to keep ringing your docs to ask for help whenever you need it.

[Lucy76]

Hi Gemma I have Svt too and have had  two very scary episodes since last September . I understand how you feel about how it affects the quality of your life . I'm waiting for an appointment to see a cardio electro physiologist at the moment who hopefully will be of some help . 

It's not easy but I would push to see a specialist in heart rhythm disorders it sounds like you haven't at the moment had many investigations such as a 5 day heart monitor and echo heart scan which I was given after my first Svt . 

It's not acceptable for you to be left suffering all those symptoms and not to be referred to a specialist for further support . Wishing you all the best in the future .

[stargazer61]

i'm not a complainer by nature - but surely there is something we could all do to alert somebody about this lack in continuity of care can make our conditions - our lives - much worse than they need be? Arrhthmia nurses or inbetween people seems a smart idea. Can we not petition or pool our experiences somehow - i have just been through one of the worst times in my life - and i've had some bad ones believe me, all because i was not given sufficient advice or options. Do anything you can to feel calm, my background was a slow heartbeat from youtube for months, anything in the world that makes you feel good is essential - and gather knowledge. Feel free to pm me if you need anything i can help with, and get plenty hugs from your kids! All the best.(fellow svt, one attack nov 2015, ex tablet taker, 'seeing how it goes')

[MinnieMinnie]

Hi, I would recommend you to push for another doctor to get better care. If they look for SVT, one day of monitoring is nothing. I was under private care and I had monitor for 5 days. 

I moved away from England and discovered that in other countries they sell slow release Beta blockators. They are life savers. You take a tablet in the morning, and all day long you have the same level of protection. No side effects at all. With normal Beta blockators I felt bad, they did not work for me at all and I got a lot of side effects. I don't understand why in England they don't offer slow release tablets... but ask your doctor to try. I take Metoprolol slow release 50mg made by Sandoz factory in Denmark.